voltio

I agree with you wholeheartedly on this: a "UCS Castle" set would have to be majestic enough to keep AFOLS and TFOLS interested in Castle without pricing itself out of the market (I'm looking at YOU, 10179 Millennium Falcon! ). Also, as you said, the UCS-style set should be built to match the scale of existing sets. The massive modular Town buildings violated this rule successfully, but I'm positive that more collectors would have purchased the modulars had those sets not dwarfed the rest of the City line. The 10210 Imperial Flagship is a great example of what we're talking about: semi-manageable price ($180), more majestic than any Pirate vessel of the past, but clearly compatible with the Pirate theme. The only problem with the Imperial Flagship is that it launched at the close of Pirates; hopefully Lego will learn from that mistake by launching a Kingdoms UCS-style set sooner rather than later. And on the subject of MMV: As beautiful as 10193 may be, Tudor-style buildings have existed in Lego form since...gosh, before Daniel Siskind's Blacksmith Shop. Those inspired by that building style probably built their MOCs in the early 2000s, as the necessary parts were already available by then.

I'm greatly impressed; motorizing an 8448 has been a longtime dream of mine, but you've made it a reality! What amazes me most is how you preserved the "stock" styling of the 8448 while also adding all the Power Functions features; most of the motorized 8448 mods I've seen end up with giant RCX bricks or battery boxes protruding out of the rear hatch, or with the transmission removed entirely. What you did is...heavenly. Now for a couple of questions. I already have the 8448, a small 9V battery box, and an 8287 Motor Box; I was hoping I could combine these (along with PF extension cables, an IR transmitter, PF lights, an M motor, etc) to make something similar to your model. 1. I noticed that the XL motor barely fit underneath the battery box. Would it be possible to fit the more powerful RC buggy motor (found in 8287) in the same location? 2. Would the model benefit from the added power of the RC buggy motor, or would this just make it more difficult to control? Thanks!

Thanks! You guys probably saved me a bundle of dollars in replacement parts. I'm bidding on a better example than this one right now, in fact, based on your advice. I suppose the moral of the story is, don't buy sets with expensive missing parts.

I used to actively collect Hot Wheels diecast cars (1:64 scale), but I quit cold turkey in 2007. The threat of depreciation is what killed that hobby for me, since Hot Wheels cars drop in value by about 50% from MSRP even if you leave them in the package (!). There are so many HW collectors that there is a RIDICULOUS supply of brand new 1:64 mainlines and special series cars on eBay and at swap meets. For the average HW car to return to its $1 price point, you have to wait 12-15 years. With Lego, by contrast, I can build a set, keep it in nice condition, and likely get my money back in a few years if I need to sell it. Plus, Lego Technic supercars like 8448 and 8880 have far more functionality than any Hot Wheel ever could.

Dear buying experts and fellow Lego addicts, I have been trying to find a reasonably-priced Air Tech Claw Rig for some time--$130, which is the lowest price on BL, is too much for me right now--and I recently located an incomplete copy for considerably less than that. The problem is this: I don't know how incomplete it actually is, and the seller is not a Lego expert. Basically, what you see in the pic is what you get. With that in mind, one question: How many fewer pieces does the alternative model of 8868 use than the main model? The item in the photo is the alternative model, and I seriously doubt that any of the extra pieces for the main model are included. If anyone has a pic of the parts left over after building the B-model, that would REALLY help me out.

Condition is key, as others have already said. If the rarest pieces and minifigures are in good condition, BUY, BUY, BUY. On the other hand, yellowing, bite marks, or extreme play wear should persuade you to stay away. I've pulled the trigger on inferior deals at far higher prices, and still come out ahead. Do it now to avoid serious, serious regrets later. Every set in that bundle is a winner on Bricklink, eBay, or as part of a space collection

I'd definitely buy the 5510 if it was in good shape and complete w/stickers and instructions. Model Team sets like that one are quite attractive, given their near-classic status and interesting parts. I'm especially partial to the windscreen, wheels, and steering components of 5510, which you could easily use in any vehicle MOC. However, I'd steer clear of the Life on Mars set unless you really love that theme. Mediocre set at a mediocre price.

I don't oppose the Ben 10 sets seen so far because they aren't System, I oppose them because I predict they will not be profitable for Lego. If I thought Ben 10 could increase profitability like Bionicle, Duplo, or other non-System themes, I would support it. But, like Galidor, Ben 10 sets could clog clearance aisles for years. Here's why. Even though Ben 10 is a more successful TV series than Galidor ever was, the Galidor and Ben 10 figures have disturbing similarities. This is the product description for "Ooni," an alien from the Galidor line: " Ooni, Powerful creature from a dangerous realm! The dreaded Ooni is just one of the many creatures that lurk in the realms of the Outer Dimension. His claws, mandibles, and stinging tail make him a fearsome threat to anyone he encounters. Make Ooni a part of your Galidor adventures, or use parts of him to make new, strange creatures of your own! Ages 4+. 29 pieces." From the low piece count to the opportunity to build your own action figure, this Galidor description sounds just like one for Humungosaur or one of the other Ben 10 figures. Galidor offered kids the chance to recombine specialized "monster" pieces into new action figures, and kids were not impressed. Will the "Ben 10" name make the same concept work 7 years later and at a higher price point? I doubt it, since a hot license alone cannot make a product succeed. See all the Galidor products here: http://www.lego.com/galidor/default.asp

Amazon.com USA has deals on the Eiffel Tower and some SW/Indy sets. Star Wars: * 7673 MagnaGuard Starfighter $34.19 (down from $44.99) * 7674 V-19 Torrent $42.79 (down from $54.99) * 10186 General Grievous $54.89 (down from $89.99) Indiana Jones: * 7623 Temple Escape $45.59 (down from $59.99) * 7626 Jungle Cutter $30.39 (down from $39.99) * 7627 Temple of the Crystal Skull $60.79 (down from $79.99) Other: * 10181 Eiffel Tower 1:300 $149.99 (down from $199.99)

I purchased a brand spankin' new 6243 Brickbeard's Bounty off of Craigslist for $50 today. Not a "classic" set yet, but still a fine ship!

I think the keys from the original post are "Use your judgment people..." and support for the inclusion of Lego S@H specials. Doesn't that imply that relevant discounts from S@H or other retailers (say, when the 10179 Falcon was on sale on Amazon sporadically) belong here?

+1 for Lego12. Great trade!

Agreed, kudos to making a design quite improved on the original. I would love to see some interior shots to get a better idea of how the body fits together. I plan on making at least one of these!

I really like the color scheme and classic feel, but I am not sure about the white fence pieces on the awning of the new design (top picture currently). The fence pieces call to mind a balcony, but the top floor has no door. Maybe just some red slopes in place of the fence pieces would look better, or perhaps you could find a different fence design in brown. Still, this is a fine MOC as-is, far better than what I could build.

Thanks, seeing your review makes me wish I had not sold mine! I remember when I bought that set in 2004; back then, most US stores had reduced the price to $30 (I picked up a copy from TRU and saw several at Tuesday Morning), making this baby a steal. The metallic-color parts were a recent innovation and really complemented the rare brown Technic parts well. The set also incorporates a few Bionicle parts, like the disc-shaped silver Bohrok hands. Props to TLG on creativity. As accurate as the 4481 is, playability is its strong suit. The giant dark gray wheels roll great on carpet, grass, or rough tile, and the model is actually quite stable for being a two-wheeler. Even better, the missile rack makes zero attempt at flick-fire "functionality," which makes the model quite sturdy: I have dropped it down the stairs without any damage. Really, this set is one I would have no qualms about purchasing used, since it is so durable.

Thanks a bunch for the review. I remember wanting this set badly back in '96, but I was just a young'un then; I probably would not have treated it with the respect it deserves. Do you have any other Town racers sets, like the 6546 Slick Racer? I would love to see a review of that one. Please? Again, your review format was very entertaining and you took skillful pictures, great work.

Thanks for the appreciative words, but I still have one improvement to make: I used MS Paint and online scans to prepare some replacement stickers for the set; all I need now is some decal paper, and I'm in business. And about the dust: dust really infuriates me, so I cover my larger, more expensive sets with Saran Wrap when not in use. Dust FTL.

That Lego has decided to release this Dooku, Yoda, and Mace set is truly amazing. As has already been stated, these are all extremely expensive figures at the moment whose prices will surely drop after this set becomes widely available; minifig collectors rejoice! For example, Clone Wars Yoda cannot be had on Bricklink for less than $17; soon we can purchase him, Mace, and Dooku for less.

I, like so many others, have long dreamed of owning the rarest monorail, 1990's Airport Shuttle. Unfortunately, I took the cheapskate route and bought a seriously incomplete, pillaged example. Seriously, the below pictures do not begin to describe how badly the few pieces I received had been abused. Still, the core of the set was present, and the motor worked 18 years after its release. Even though some of the gray tracks had mashed teeth and other scary damage, the metal cog of the motor was so strong that it actually straightened out the bent teeth of the track over time. That's right, monorails can heal themselves! I'm a bit of a perfectionist about brick quality, though, so all the bitten and yellowed bricks had to be discarded. Basically, only the rare pieces (monorail chassis, red motor cover, electricals, windows, baseplates, arches, pylons, tracks) were preserved; basic bricks were replaced with new ones from PAB or nicer ones I had lying around. Total cost to restore the monorail was $250 (including the original "set" I bought). That's quite a lot, especially considering the time put in, but it was a labor of love and a pleasure to complete. As you can see in the following pictures, the 6399 Airport Shuttle is the perfect way to anchor a small classic town layout. A wide angle view. The set contains two stations, of which this one is the larger. The yellow panels at the top of the picture are especially hard to find. Fancy a snack? This food stand should have a large sticker of a hamburger across the two 1x4 white bricks. In its absence, I converted it into a pizzeria. Sorry for the rotten pic quality. This is the back of the main station, which shows you how substantial it really is. Look at the beautiful "elevated train" supports and long platform! Unlike the 6990 and 6991 space monorails, Lego put serious effort into making the monorail's two stops relevant and exciting to build. Top view. My road plate is slightly incorrect; the correct version is light gray with a white printed crosswalk, but it is also very expensive. This is the other station for 6399. Locating it on the ground level and on a green road plate associates this station with the Shuttle's raison d'être: most airports have green baseplates, while downtown sets of the era were on gray. The white and red awning is a work of art and also forms the "T" logo that appears on many of the set's (missing) stickers. Once again, another wide platform. You can add a crowd of extra civilians to this set and still have room for more. A few shots of the 6597 Century Skyway I purchased to accompany the Airport Shuttle. I know this is not a formal review, but here are a few closing thoughts: The 6399 is unlike any public transit set released so far for Town because of its versatility; the monorail tracks allow for multi-leveled setups, and the tough, simple 9V battery system means that there are no cords to mess with. Besides, monorail tracks are only 4 studs wide, freeing up major space. Plus, I have never had more fun building and playing with a Lego set: for the price of a UCS Star Wars set that just sits and collects dust (cough*Death Star II*cough), I chose to own a classic.

Ultimate Collector Series Vader's TIE Fighter 10175 is now only $49.99 at Lego Shop at Home USA, savings of 50%.

Thanks for the review, and nice photography! I remember considering this set a few years ago but then deciding in favor of the Jabba's Palace and Jabba's Message. The parts/price ratio was not all that great for the Skyhopper, but you're right: today, the printed pieces included are quite rare, and the pilot has never reappeared. I checked BL: the T-16 still only fetches $15 used, which is quite reasonable for a discontinued SW set. Nice!

Looks good...you're re-creating the 1999-2004 Fox platform Mustang, correct? I think the gray wheel arches would look better in yellow...or, you could add dark gray plates to the chassis and bottom of the body for a low-key two-tone effect. That could "slim down" the car a little in profile.

As per their Bricklink designations, I have 22 "Green Plant, Tree Fruit", 28 "Green Plant Prickly Bush 2 x 2 x 4 ", and 17 "Green Plant, Tree Pine Small 2 x 2 x 4 ." I also have probably hundreds of red flowers + stems (have to go into the store room and check). I can send photos if interested, and I am a Bricklink seller in good standing. Tell me what you have available to trade, and let's deal!

I really like the KITT model as it is...the grille is well done, and the angular lines of the normal GM F-Body look very good rendered in Lego. When you finish modifying it, I would really like to see how you treated the rear view, as well. What looks oddest to me are the wheels, to be honest. If you could find a way to make them protrude less from the body, your KITT would be much improved.

Nannan remarked that the set was marked as $59.99 at Toys R Us, which could have marked up the price as they often do. I would bet that Lego.com will sell the Sailer for $49.99, which is not a great price, but not an awful one either. I guess one bright side to the high pricing is the possibility of sales or clearances, as we saw with TRU taking 30% off the Twilight this year. I know I would pay $40 for this set, but not $50 or $60.